Bacik entry into by-election race takes fight to FG

FINE GAEL looks like it will have a fight on its hands to win the Dublin Central by-election after Labour last night announced that popular Senator Ivana Bacik would enter the race.

The by-election, caused by the death of Independent TD Tony Gregory, will be held on June 5 in tandem with another by-election in Dublin South and the local and European elections.

Fine Gael Senator Paschal Donohoe is considered the favourite for Dublin Central, having performed strongly at the last general election in 2007 and has built on his profile since then.

But Ms Bacik polled respectably in the 2004 European elections for Labour, and the reid professor of criminal law at TCD is regarded as an impressive media performer. Ms Bacik confirmed her intention to seek the Labour nomination in a statement issued by the party. The nomination is expected to be a formality.

“Over the coming days I will be speaking to the members in Dublin Central to win their support... and get cracking on taking the fight to the Government.

“I firmly believe that voters will send a clear message to the Government about the need for a change in leadership and that Labour, whoever the local members choose, can win this by-election,” said Ms Bacik.

Fianna Fáil has not yet named its candidate, but given that governments rarely win by-elections, is thought to have little chance of success. Meanwhile, the mortgage tax relief cut and other budget changes amounted to a “May Day massacre”, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore claimed last night. In the budget last month, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan announced that from May 1, mortgage holders would only receive tax relief on the interest they pay for the first seven years of the mortgage.

As a result, some 321,000 mortgage-holders had their tax relief suspended yesterday while Revenue investigates if they are still eligible for it. It will be restored in cases where Revenue ascertains eligibility. But at least 57,000 mortgage holders will definitely no longer be entitled to the relief, a figure which could rise as Revenue’s inquiries progress.

Mr Gilmore claimed the tax relief cut and other harsh measures in the budget – several of which took effect yesterday – amounted to a massacre for workers.

“This is nothing short of a May Day tax massacre for Irish workers who face increased tax and health levies and, in some cases, increased PRSI payments,” he said.